Stop motion device for bread wrapping machines



May 23, 1939.

A. B. COWARD STOP MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Original Filed July 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inuenlor A323) 2?. (awa d A Home];

A. B. COWARD 2,159,135

STOP MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES May 23, 1939.

Original Filed July 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ASZZy E (060870 A llomep May 23, 1939. A, COWARD 2,159,135

STOP MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Original Filed July 6, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 3 [nvenlor 15' I ASZZ Z1 (owar A Ilomey y 23, 1939- A, B. COWARD 2,159,135

STOP MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Original Filed July 6, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 [rwenlor 1482a (cu/arc] By 2mm A Home};

May 23, 1939. A B COWARD 2,159,135

ST OF MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Original Filed July 6, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 5 Inventor ASZZ l/ B (award gawaafih A Home};

Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES STOP MOTION DEVICE FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Ashby Benton Coward, Indianapolis, Ind., as-

signor of forty-nine per cent to Adam Neu,

Evansville, Ind.

Application July 6, 1935, Serial No. 30,178 Renewed January 24, 1939 3 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to machines for wrapping loaves of bread and particularly to such machines designed for wrapping loaves of sliced bread.

More particularly the invention resides in the provision of simple and efiective means for automatically stopping the machine in the event of failure of proper operation of the machine.

The invention resides in the provision of what may be termed a stop motion device particularly designed for machines for wrapping loaves of sliced bread, and which device will operate to stop the machine when for example, either the wrapper folding instrumentalities of the machine fail to function properly, or the slices of a loaf become disarranged as the sliced loaf approaches the elevator with which the machine is usually equipped for raising the sliced loaf to the paper or wrapper folding instrumentalities of the ma- 0 chine.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a somewhat standard form of bread wrapping machine equipped with a stop motion device in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view with parts removed, other parts shown in section, and illustrating certain details hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the application of a pair of feelers in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a circuit maker and breaker device embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view of an additional circuit make and break device embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a feeler arm.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through a contact wheel.

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram.

In accordance with the present invention there is mounted on each of the brackets that extend laterally from the ironers 2 a feeler 3. Each feeler 3 is pivoted to its bracket l as at 4.

In this connection it may be stated that standard bread wrapping machines are provided with a wrapping mechanism including paper holding instrumentalities 5, an arm 6 for removing wrapped loaves and positioning the same on an upper, outgoing conveyor 1 and the wrapped loaf incidental to the depositing thereof on the upper, outgoing conveyor passes first between the aforementioned pair of ironers 2 for pressing the end flaps of the wrapper tightly in place. From between the ironers 2 the wrapped loaf then passes between heating units 8 which seal the end flaps. The wrapped loaves are finally delivered from the conveyor into containers. The feelers 3 just mentioned, and in a manner hereinafter made more apparent, are for the purpose of insuring a proper 1'0. sealing of the end flaps of the wrapper.

Each of the feelers 3 has secured thereto by a bolt 8 a block of insulating material in provided with a contact I I. The block I0 is normally urged inwardly against a fixed stop l2 through the medium of a suitably provided spring l3. Also, each feeler 3 is normally urged to rotate in one direction for separating cooperating contacts H and 14 through the medium of a suitably provided spring i5. The aforementioned contact [4 is suit- 20 ably mounted on and insulated from an appropriately provided bracket 16, (see Figure 3).

Each pair of contacts H and M are wired in circuit, as shown in Figure 8 with the coil ll of a suitably mounted solenoid, a battery circuit being provided for the coil of the solenoid as shown in Figure 8. The axial movable core or plunger l3 of the solenoid is pivotally connected with the usual control lever I9 with which the machine is equipped for starting and stopping 30 the latter. Arranged in the circuit between the battery 2 and the pairs of contacts Ii, [4, is a manually operable switch 2|.

From the above it will be seen that when the stop motion device of the present invention is to 35 be used, switch 2! is closed. With switch 2| closed it will be apparent that should the end folds of a Wrapper not be properly folded as the wrapped loaf pas es from between the ironers 2 in the travel of the loaf towards the heating units 8 the improperly folded end flaps will become engaged with the feelers 3. This will cause the feelers 3 to rotate against the action of springs i5 resulting in an engagement of the contacts II with the contacts 14. It will thus be seen that the 45 circuit through the coil I! will be completed with the result that the plunger or core 18 will be caused to move axially to operate the lever IQ for stopping the action or motion of the machine. Thus the operator will be apprised of the existing 50 condition and will be able to remedy the same. Thus the possibility of loaves imperfectly Wrapped, issuing from the machine is rendered negligable.

Further, in accordance with the invention pro- 55 by the reference numeral 38.

vision is made for stopping the machine in the event the slices of a loaf of bread become disarranged. In this connection it may be first pointed out that standard bread wrapping machines are equipped with a conveyor, such as for example the conveyor 22, which conveyor, in practice, at its outer end connects with a slicing machine (not shown) so that the bread loaves carried along the conveyor and shown in broken lines in the drawings are sliced. In order to elevate and deliver, at the desired periods, individual loaves of bread from the inner end of the incoming conveyor 22 to the aforementioned bread wrapping mechanism, an elevator, (not shown) is provided at the inner end of the conveyor. In accordance with the present invention there is also provided at the inner end of the conveyor 22, and overlying said end of the conveyor a feeler member 23 pivoted to one end of a suitable mounted slide 24. The slide 24 is connected by a link 251 to a lever 26 suitably and pivotally mounted on the frame of the machine Thus, and as shown in Figure l, as the loaf of sliced bread approaches the inner end of the conveyor 22, the feeler 23 drops down from the full line position shown to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 1 to rest on the slices of the loaf.

In accordance with the present invention there is also mounted on the frame of the machine a suitable bracket structure 2'! including a pair of upper and lower parallel guide rods 28. Slidable on the upper guide rod 28 is a block 29 of insulating material having depending therefrom a suitable member 30 which straddles the lower guide rail 28 to prevent rotative movement of the block 29 about the upper guide rail Set screws 3| are provided to bind slightly against the upper guide rail so as to prevent too free movement of the block 29.

Suitably mounted on the block 29 is a fixed contact 32 with which is cooperable a contact 33 mounted on and suitably insulated from one end of a bell crank 34 pivoted to a substantially L-shaped bracket 35 also mounted on the block 29. Threaded through one arm of the bracket 35 is an adjustment screw 36 which limits counterclockwise rotation of the lever 34. The free end of the lever 34 is connected through the medium of a link 3'! with the aforementioned lever 29.

It will be seen from the above that in the event one or more slices of the loaf of bread become disarranged, said slices will so'engage the feeler 23 as to cause a sliding movement of the slide 24 toward the right in Figure 1. This will result in a rotation of the lever 26 in a clockwise direction, and this movement of the lever is transmitted through the link 31 to the bell crank 34. As a result, contact 33 will move into engagement with contact 32 and these contacts 32, 33 being wired in circuit with the coil l! of the solenoid, the plunger l8 of the solenoid will be caused to move axially to operate the control lever l9 to the end that said lever will be moved to a position for stopping the machine prior to the passage of the disarranged loaf of bread from the conveyor 22 onto the aforementioned elevator (not shown).

As is also well known, the wrapping mechanism includes a knife (not shown) for cutting the wax wrapping paper in desired lengths upon delivery of the loaves to a proper position, and a mechanism for operating the knife at the proper intervals includes suitable cam means mounted on a shaft, the latter being indicated in the drawings On this shaft, I provide a contact disk 39 divided as best shown in Figuresfiand 7 into a pair of complemental half sections connected together by suitable screws 49. On the peripheral edge of one of the sections of the disk is a contact strip 4! the ends of which are clamped between the meeting edges of the sections of the disk as shown. On one side of each section of the disk is a semicircular contact strip 42, which provides as shown in Figure 5 a continuous circular contact element.

Also, pivotally mounted on the'frame of the machine is a bracket 93 provided with an arm 44 having a bolt and slot connection with the bracket 43 as at 45. A suitable adjusting screw mechanism 49 is provided for securing the arm M at the desired adjustment.

Pivoted on the free end of the arm 44 is a roller carrier 4'! of conductive material and insulated from the arm 44 as at 48. Mounted on the carrier 41 is a contact roller 49 that rides on the contact strip 4| and is normally urged into engagement with the periphery of the disk 39 through the medium of a suitable spring device.

Also, suitably mounted on the frame of the machine is an arm 5| on which is suitably provided and insulated therefrom a contact roller 52 that is in engagement with the circular contact strip 42. The contact rollers 49 and 50 are wired in circuit with the solenoid and the contacts 33 and 32, a switch 53 being provided in the circuit between the contacts 32 and 33 and the contact rollers 49 and 52 as in Figure 8.

Normally, the switch 53 is closed and the circuit through the solenoid is opened through the separating contacts 32 and 33. Thus it will be seen that in the event the slices of the loaf of bread at the inner end of the conveyor 22 are disarranged so as to close, or engage the contacts 32 and 33 in the manner before explained, the circuit through the coil ll will not be completed until the contact disk 39 has revolved with its shaft 38 suificiently to cause engagement of the roller 49 with the contact strip 4!. Upon engagement of the roller 49 and the contact strip 4! the circuit through the coil l'l will be completed for operating the lever i9 to stop the machine.

From the above it will be seen that I have devised a stop motion device for bread wrapping machines which is especially adapted for use on such machines designed for wrapping sliced loaves, and which device will operate to stop the machine either in the event of improper wrapping or disarrangement of the slices of a loaf of bread.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: V

' 1. In a bread wrapping machine adapted for discharging wrapped bread therefrom, a pair of feeler fingers located on opposite sides of the path of discharge movement of the said bread and independently movable by the passage of improperly wrapped bread past the same, a control lever operative to stop the machine, electromagnetic means for operating said lever, and normally ineffective means to energize said electromagnetic means and rendered effective by independent movement of either feeler finger of said pair.

2. In a bread wrapping machine including a conveyor for feeding loaves of sliced bread thereto, and a paper cutting mechanism; a feeler memher in the path of movement of the loaves of sliced bread and operative by disarranged slices of bread in said loaves, a control lever operative to stop the machine, electro-magnetic means for operating said lever, and normally ineifective means to energize said magnetic means rendered effective by operation of said feeler member and under control of said cutting mechanism.

3. In a bread Wrapping machine including a conveyor for feeding loaves of sliced bread thereto, and a paper cutting mechanism, a feeler member in the path of movement of the loaves of sliced bread and operative by disarranged slices 10 of bread in said loaves, a control lever operative to stop the machine, electro-magnetic means for operating said lever, and normally ineiTective means to energize said magnetic means rendered effective by operation of said feeler member and under control of said cutting mechanism, and including contacts closed by operation of said feeler member, and a timing circuit maker and breaker operative by said cutting mechanism.

ASHBY BENTON COVIARD. 

